A heated confrontation between former UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and Russian fighter Usman Nurmagomedov ahead of the Real American Freestyle (RAF) event in Abu Dhabi has reportedly led to both fighters being questioned by police.
The incident took place on Wednesday at a hotel in Abu Dhabi, where Dvalishvili was recording an interview ahead of his appearance at RAF Abu Dhabi. Video footage circulating on social media showed Nurmagomedov approaching the Georgian fighter with a group of men before striking him, triggering a brawl involving members of both camps.
Dvalishvili later shared a video on social media showing him with a bloodied face while receiving medical attention. He alleged that Nurmagomedov and his associates attacked him and a friend from behind.
“Was doing an interview for RAF in hotel lobby and Usman and his buddies came up from behind and started punching me and my young friend,” Dvalishvili wrote.
According to a report by The National, both fighters and others involved in the altercation were taken for questioning by Abu Dhabi police on Wednesday. The report cited MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, who said everyone involved was still being detained by local authorities at the time of his update.
There is no official confirmation from Abu Dhabi Police and RAF organisers if the local authorities were involved.
